Promising, Young and Eager to Serve: Chuckie Antonio

This season of choosing a leader amongst us has probably never been more important. The ordeal of the of the new year brings hope, like any Filipino conquest, to find people who would go out of their way to serve the populace rather than themselves. I believe in the youth, even amongst their flaws. Though not perfect, we do not lose that gusto to seek the hope that they can do more. I met one fine gentleman a few nights ago, his name is Chuckie Antonio. He’s only 26, running to serve the third district of Quezon City. He’s also got a masters degree from a very reputable business school in Singapore. He’s also running as an independent candidate, he was very hungry to tell his story. I listened in.

Chuckie says “I started when I was 15 years old, as an SK Kagawad first - and decided to run for Barangay Kagawad (which he did for 3 terms). I haven’t been influenced by anyone, my folks are very private people. I enjoy this. When I started I visited the 37 barangays and tried to really know health, education. I tried to do modeling, was part of Star Circle Batch 10. I wasn’t being so serious about acting, I was very young and I wanted to focus more on education. This new generation isn’t really better than the previous ones, I just feel I need to represent the youth. Things are already good, but I want to make lifestyle programs to make it easier to live in the district. To keep the youth active. It also helps that I have done a lot of activities with the seniors. I don’t want them to feel left out. I won’t forget them, they feel I am their grandson. I ran independently but I didn’t want the drama, I have always done it like that when I ran for Kagawad. I dedicated months, 5 weeks left. I go to their houses, I bring my youth to reach the people. I put in a lot of hard work to asses where I could contribute at my capacity in this district. I consider them all like friends after all.”

“I know what they are going through. I try to know the problems by directly talking to the people. I’d prioritize healthcare and medical assistance, free education, all of which could be a possibility for the city.”

“Disheartened? It happens to everyone, I am happy when I get to make a change in people’s lives. To reach more people. When it comes to the youth, I am glad that in our district, they are very participative.”

“It’s not that I won’t run just because they didn’t get me for their parties, but I really wanted to do it. I understand that I just got back a little late to complete my masters in Singapore and parties were already filled. Since I was in that position, my parents told me to check how it feels on the ground.”

“During very trying times, I learned to do a lot of things and I felt that if I didn’t do this, I’ll regret it later. I felt when I visited their homes, I could get their support. My point is, I hope they felt I was sincere with what I wanted to do with the third district.”

“My last relationship was when I was 22, very young so I didn’t settle, I got swayed on being a little impatient, on finding someone better. I don’t have high standards but I am looking for someone who I could spend the rest of my life with and I know it will come soon.”

I am not saying you should vote for him, nor am I endorsing him. You have options - and to spark change you want in your hood, you need people who need to do it with the eagerness to serve the greater majority of your district. I met a very eloquent guy who did his job for the community he served for three terms, if he wants to do more, who are we to stop em?

Thanks for the opportunity to know you Chuckie. I am a little envious that I live in a different district from yours, you know what you are doing and they’d be so lucky if they had you there.

PayMaya Tara! Ultimate Adventure Promo!

The ability of people to shop online without a credit card. It was the thing in 2015, travel is probably the next on your bucketlist. Over the years we started with a small concept and this is not the only event we are going to do this year, there will be more. Thank you all for being here. - Paymaya COO Paolo Azzola

Their executives Kenneth Palacios and Kenneth Villanueva shared “Everyone knows Paymaya is innovative. It is a travel buddy, so when you go out in the islands, you can shop, eat at restaurants, book hotels, flights too. It is a travel product, perfect for seat sales, but we are taking you to the next level. Filipinos love to travel, the PayMaya app can be accepted where Visa and Mastercard are accepted, no need to call before or after your trip, you can track all your spendings, withdraw cash anywhere, get cashbacks, rewards and very safe. You get peace of mind because you can use it internationally, but if it gets lost you have the ability to block your card via the app, all the control begins with you.”

PayMaya Tara! is their third travel blowout promo. Last year there were three winners. This year, one winner can bring 3 additional friends and family. The places you can go to includes Italy (a culinary tour), Iceland and Croatia (land of ice and fire), South Africa (Safari), London and UK (Harry Potter), plus South Korea for the ultimate Kpop experience. A videographer/photographer will also be with you so you don’t have to look for people to shoot your photos or videos. Sounds cool? It is.

Now go download the app on iOS or Google Play, use your app, card and you earn raffle entries. Activating your virtual card means 10 entries, if you link your physical card, you earn 10 too. If you add money to your account, upgrade it, if you pay your bills (full and on time), send money to family and friends, purchase stuff at the PayMaya shop, scan to pay in QR codes of partner merchants, swipe the Physical card (min 300 spend), you get more entries. Winners will be picked randomly via electronic raffle.

Ehhh what are you doing? Why aren’t you using your PayMaya? Go get them entries to win!

Arjo Atayde and Jessy Mendiola for STRANDED

“When you’re afraid, take deep breaths and you’ll be okay.” -Arjo

Watched STRANDED this evening. This film stars Jessie Mendiola and Arjo Atayde and throng of support stars from Regal Films. Honestly, the movie had us wondering about the plot at face value because of the title. It made sense when they started telling us the personas of their character. Jessie plays a corporate slave, goody two shows woman who wants stability, but lost her sense of adventure and life. Arjo on the other hand is in between jobs, albeit successful, he turns into a food delivery connoisseur and crossed paths with geeky Jessie one day.

Stranded becomes a reality when the heavens would have a hand on it. Ice Adanan doesn’t hurry telling things, it felt like a normal romance between the two was brewing, but they have their priorities and relationships to deal with before this thing happened. They will be stranded in their own situations, but both characters give you a sense that they haven’t really given up on their dreams, they still gave it a try in the end.

This romance never had much drama, it didn’t really have much complications other than their own lives. Nobody cried much in the movie, everything was made subtle, because if it didn’t need to be told like that, they didn’t have to resort to TV Patrol acting. Nothing annoying of that nature, it was just one was being cute, the other had qualms to reciprocate his innuendos.

I think this is much of a feel good movie rather than a drama piece. Arjo and Jessie are natural actors, they didn’t have to be over the top in any scene and that might be good for people who don’t want stress. I think it wants to inspire you to do things that you want to do, to tick off everything on your bucketlist and not feel bad about it. Because ultimately, you can find your happiness, and not just depend on others to find it.

Because it may not be enough. Worthy to watch? Yeah, definitely. Regal thinks you should just watch it for merits of making you feel good about your decisions, that’s what the movie implies to me.

STRANDED will show on theaters April 10, in cinemas nationwide!

ER Ejercito Cries Political Harrasment on Graft Case

“Before I fought in politics in 2010, they paid 5 boatmen to file cases against me. I won against Joey Lina and Noynoy Aquino got mad at me.” -ER Ejercito

These are some of the words I heard during a presscon in Quezon City today with Governor Emilio Ramon ER Ejercito. News came out that Sandiganbayan guilty of graft for anomalous insurance plans when he was still Mayor of Pagsanjan, a progressive tourism town in Laguna. In an article published in news outlets, the said anti graft court sentenced him to prison for 6-8 years and said to perpetually disqualify him from holding any public office.

According to a statement by his legal counsel Atty. Larry Gadon, he is not disqualified and attributed this case to Noynoy Aquino loyalists. In the same paper, they claim he isn’t disqualified to run and that the Sandiganbayan decision is not final and executory. He has paid bail amounting to Php 30,600 and will be appealed at the Supreme Court, then says the social media fake news is black propaganda.

Here is their statement in full:

According to their statement, it was initially dismissed by the Ombudsman and reopened by the Sandiganbayan in 2016 to harass him during the elections on the same year. The Accident Protection Assistance Program was for tourists and boatmen who may get hurt while shooting the rapids of Pagsanjan Falls, of which they all say was part of their sustained rescue and assistance program for the local government of Pagsanjan.

The ruling came out on April 5, 2019 and included Mayor ER, former councilor Arlyn Lazaro - Torres, Terryl Gamit - Talabong, Kalahi Rabago, Erwin Sacluti, Gener Dimaranan and a certain private respondent Marilyn Bruel. They were charged with one count of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices act that has got an accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

This is certainly worrying for the Laguna folks who would be looking at this case closely.